A senior lawmaker from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), TB Hasanuddin, says that the plan to buy new helicopters from Italian-British manufacturing company AgustaWestland, to be used as presidential aircraft, has dealt a blow to the countryâs defense industry, which has been struggling in recent years
senior lawmaker from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), TB Hasanuddin, says that the plan to buy new helicopters from Italian-British manufacturing company AgustaWestland, to be used as presidential aircraft, has dealt a blow to the country's defense industry, which has been struggling in recent years.
'It is regrettable if the plan to purchase the Super Puma helicopter from PT DI [Dirgantara Indonesia Aircraft Manufacturer] was dropped in favor of the AW101, which was made in Italy. This will bring losses to the state as PT DI has invested a lot,' Tubagus said as quoted by tribunnews.com.
He said that Law No. 16/2012 on the state defense industry mandated government institutions to procure Indonesian-made defense equipment.
'If we refuse to use products from the local defense industry, we might as well shut down the industry,' Tubagus said.
Tubagus was commenting on the plan by the Indonesian Air Force, as revealed by Air Force commander Air Marshal Agus Supriatna, to buy three AgustaWestland AW101 helicopters worth US$40 million each to replace the existing VVIP helicopter, the Super Puma, which has been used for the past 25 years.
The State Palace defended the Air Force's decision, saying that it is a necessity for safety, not a luxury.
Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung said he did not know the exact features of the helicopter being proposed by the Air Force, but said that it would meet the criteria for a VVIP helicopter. 'So, this is not about luxury, but more about safety,' he added, saying that the helicopter would also be used by other VVIPs, including the Vice President and state guests.
Agus said that the budget for the procurement had been included in the Air Force's 2015-2019 strategic plan and had also undergone a review by the Air Force's VVIP Squadron and the Indonesian Military (TNI) headquarters.
Tubagus said that the price of the AW101 was also too high.
'The House would launch a probe on the real price of the helicopter per unit,' he said.
In October this year, Jokowi said during the celebration of the TNI's 70th anniversary that the government was striving to realize the country's defense sovereignty by developing its national defense industry to reduce its dependence on imported equipment.
Meanwhile, the CEO of PT DI, Budi Santoso, said that it was up to the President to decide whether he would use a locally assembled helicopter or the one ordered by the Air Force.
'It is up to the President to decide. Besides, he is the one who decides how the chopper would be used,' Budi said as quoted by tribunnews.com.
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